Juliette May Fraser American, 1887-1983

Best known for commercial illustrations and her many mural commissions in and around Honolulu, Juliette May Fraser also practiced easel painting with evident aplomb. In this oil on canvas, as in her public projects and works-for-hire, she expertly tapped into the duality of modernism and traditionalism that characterized the visual culture of Hawaii’s tourism industry.

The scene is set at Irwin Memorial Park on Boat Day, when ritzy Matson ocean liners, such as the S.S. Lurline, would discharge passengers in Honolulu to great fanfare and celebration. Published accounts and illustrations touted flower lei as the ultimate symbols of Hawaii, so arriving tourists were eager to obtain them. Clustered in the foreground are three Hawaiian figures, each representing a distinct phase of the lei-making economy: the seated woman at left practices the time-honored craft of stringing flowers together, her hatted colleague in the center displays finished lei for sale, and the young girl at right counts change from a recent transaction. In the background, another lei seller turns to greet passengers aboard the white ocean liner gliding into port. 

Through forceful hues, a crowded composition, and liberal use of a palette knife, Fraser invites us to join in the bustling festivities along Honolulu’s waterfront.